THREE weeks after its shock defeat in GE14, Umno is still reeling.

The rank and file are struggling to accept the change of status from ruling party to the opposition bench.‎

Making matters worse is the near absence of information from the party leadership on how to navigate this new terrain where Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Pakatan Harapan call the shots.

An Umno division leader in the federal territory said: “The mood hasn’t picked up.”

He and a few Umno grassroots leaders were prepared to give their views on the party mood but requested anonymity for fear of being accused of washing dirty linen in public. 

Leading up to May 9, Umno/Barisan Nasional had expected to retain control of most of the states and federal power. Instead, it suffered its worst defeat in national polls since independence to retain only Perlis, Pahang and Sarawak.

Umno was confident it would win more than the 88 federal seats it won in 2013, but instead it managed to hold on to 54 seats. 

“Umno has lost direction. None of the leaders have successfully brought stability to the members so far,” said an Umno Youth exco member.

Going on the record can also be misunderstood as self promotion with party polls are around the corner.  

“It’s like everyone is afraid to go for a post ,” he said.

Other Umno leaders declined to comment on the party’s plan as a federal opposition party.

Following Najib Razak’s resignation as Umno president and BN chairman, the party is led by vice-presidents Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Hishammuddin Hussein, who are taking on the duties of president and deputy president, respectively.

Umno branches will elect the leadership from now until June 10. Party wings Wanita, Youth and Puteri will hold their polls on June 23. Voting for division leaders, Supreme Council members and top posts will be held on June 30.

Nominations for Supreme Council members will open on June 1 and close at 5pm on June 17.

A division chief said the grassroots leadership had yet to call for meetings to prepare for the party elections as the members were still downcast. 

“If the meetings are not held, it’s possible that the division can be dissolved,” he said. 

Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and executive secretary Rauf Yusoh could not be reached for comment.

Supreme Council member Mustapa Mohamed this week urged Umno members to stop moping and quickly organise branch meetings.

Easier said than done. Umno, from the top to the bottom, seems to be digging in for an extended period of mourning after losing the power it considered its birthright. – May 29, 2018. ‎